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BRITISH sportscar-maker Aston Martin and Italian coachbuilder Zagato have teamed up to create the Vanquish Zagato Concept, a bespoke V12-powered supercar which debuted at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in Italy over the weekend.

The fifth car to emerge from the partnership and the first since the V12 Vantage Zagato in 2011, the new concept features custom-made bodywork in carbon-fibre to differentiate it from a run-of-the-mill Vanquish which, according to Aston Martin, “emphasises a dynamic, forward-looking stance”.

The biggest tweaks in the Zagato Concept compared with its Vanquish donor car are a more aggressively sloped roofline incorporating a double bubble roof – a Zagato signature from the 1950s to accommodate racing helmets – and a small increase of power to 441kW from its 6.0-litre naturally aspirated V12.

Other exterior changes include a DB11-inspired rear end complete with a retractable spoiler, quad exhaust outlets and new Zagato-designed tail lights, which incorporate the same LED technology found in the track-only Vulcan.

Inside, Zagato has employed Herringbone carbon fibre and shadow, anodized bronze and aniline leather to highlight the facia, vents and rotary dials, as well as adorning the seats, headrests and door cards in quilted leather.

Aston Martin executive vice president and chief creative officer Marek Reichman said Zagato helped push their design in a new direction while staying true to classic Aston Martin vehicles of yesteryear.

“Over the years, we have developed and refined our own design language and we have always gone that little bit further with our special series cars like CC-100, One-77 and Aston Martin Vulcan,” he said.

“The Vanquish Zagato Concept shows how our two companies can come together and push the definition of Aston Martin design.”

Zagato CEO Andrea Zagato added that the development of the Vanquish Zagato Concept highlighted the two company’s unique, long-running relationship.

“We pride ourselves on our strong partnership and the creation of the Vanquish Zagato Concept was a true shared experience,” he said.

“It represents the essence of an important design relationship that dates back over fifty years.”